Police are to step up patrols in a Moray town following complaints about “boy racers”.
Residents in Forres have reported seeing young motorists regularly flouting speed limits while driving on Grantown Road – leading to near collisions with other cars.
Now it has been revealed that some of the youths have been posting footage of themselves to encourage others to beat their time from the last roundabout leaving the town.
Police have said there have been no reports of inappropriate driving on the route but have pledged to carry out more patrols to reassure nearby residents and establish if there is a problem.
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Yesterday Moray MP Douglas Ross welcomed the steps to reduce the potential of a serious accident while calling for action against anyone found acting “recklessly”.
He said: “Concerns flagged-up to me about drivers speeding when they are leaving Forres and how people have witnessed near misses with drivers using the turnoff at the Knockomie Inn, which is not very well signposted.
“However, more worrying was the information received that some of these young drivers may be using social media to post their antics trying to beat each other getting from the roundabout to the top of the hill past the turning.
“Police have no evidence of this particular development but have said that local officers and specialist roads policing resources have been made aware of these concerns and will further assess the situation.”
Police have already run an operation to tackle road offences in Forres this year. Two people were charged with drink driving following a Friday night patrol run by officers in the town centre in March.
In a letter to Mr Ross, Chief Inspector Murray Main recommended investigating new signs to warn motorists about the concealed hotel entrance.
He added: “There have been no reports of any collisions at this specific junction.
“However, in order to provide some reassurance and allow officers to further assess the situation they have been made aware of concerns and have been asked to provide additional attention to the area during the course of their patrols.”
Police were unable to comment further yesterday.